Happily Helping

 *If you haven't read post "Almost" read that one first.

So I woke up to snow.  Bleh! No Yard Sales today. Sadness. Now what?    Well I did what was logical,  made me some eggs, jumped in the shower, and had a epiphany about my sofa. ( Yes I was still thinking about it.  It's a great sofa!)    Although I didn't NEED the sofa and it wasn't practical for me to buy it. I was over whelmed with happiness at the thought  that it's going to be such a perfect sofa for someone who really does need it.  So remember how I said that one of the reasons I like to be THRIFTY is so I can help others.  Well this is me helping.  If you NEED a sofa.  Then go buy mine!  It's at the American Fork DI.  It has a dark hard wood frame. Very sturdy, and well built.  Looks like new except for one spindle is broken on the back, but they have the broken piece with it.  It would be a super easy fix.  Especially if you have a handy husband like mine.  Even if you don't though a little wood glue would do the trick.  The cushions are a little retro, Yellow, Green, and Brown plaid with pleather(I love that stuff ). I liked them, and thought they were fun. I probably would have left them until I got tired of the plaid.   My shopping partners weren't as keen about it as I was though.  But it would be an easy reupholster fix.  It's SO GREAT!!! It would be perfect in a loft (which is where I would've put it), a den, or a little apartment.  Or recover the cushions in material that would hold up to the elements and put on a patio, or deck.  So many possibilities. It probably has a SOLD sticker on it from me, but as you know it's not sold so just tell them I sent you and to give me a call.  Please go buy this!  I need it to go to a good home with someone that can see it's true potential.  Oh, and if you do buy it SEND ME A PICTURE!!!

Retro Plaid.  So you can get an idea of the pattern on the sofa.  So cute!

Almost...

So I almost bought a sofa tonight, and now I'm having non-buyers remorse.  You know the remorse you get when you don't buy something.  You can't get it off your mind, and are kicking yourself for NOT buying it?  Yeah, that is what I am feeling right now. This sofa was AMAZING!  Hard wood frame, craftsmen style, looked new, simply AMAZING!  And only $55!  AHHHHHH!  Why didn't I buy it?  Why?  Well, right now I'm not sure why.  At the time these were the reasons:

1. Husband would've have said "WHAT THE...!"
2. No where to put it at the present time.
3. I didn't have a truck with me (they would've held it for 3 days though).
But probably the biggest reason of all is...
4. If I don't "NEED" it and I buy it then is that really being thrifty?

SIGH...:(   I wish I would've taken a picture of it for you to see.  I really need to start carrying a camera with me every where I go.  But, on a HAPPY note.  I did find a really great, super unique  stool.  So stay tuned for that one. :)

Last Weeks Yard Sale Finds.

Yard Sales are just starting to pop up around town now that the weather is warming up.  I am so giddy I can hardly stand it.  Last weekend I had a list of about 8 places to go.  I woke up early,  grabbed a friend, and we took off with high hopes.  But slowly one by one, and house after house after house we kept striking out.   But I was determined not to go home without at least one amazing find.  That's all I wanted, ONE thing that would send my heart a racin' with the joy that only a true Thrifter can feel when they know they've found something great.  Was that too much to ask for? Well, I think not because the last house was my saving grace! We pulled up to the house and there it was propped up against a tree...

It was love at first sight!  This frame is 40 X 20 and is going to look AWESOME on my wall with a fresh coat of paint (I'm thinking something bold and bright) and a cherished family picture in it. I know just the photographer I'm going to use... Ashley Taylor Potagraphy!  She is SO, SO, SO good and she blows my mind with her photography.  I can hardly wait to have her take family pictures again for us.  Should I wait for my little one to start walking (could be six months)? I don't know if I can.  I am so EXCITED to get this little beauty up on my wall.  Oh yeah, and guess what I paid for it?  Only $7!  Can you believe that?!!!!

The detailing is SO GREAT!  Isn't it GORGEOUS?

I didn't leave with just the frame though.   

I also got: 

• Brand new Dora Doll (In the box)

• Cast Iron Thomas the train-Diesel *He is so hard to find and when you do find him you'll pay $26.00 or more.

•  Kid take-n-toss plate and utensil set. (still in box)

• 2 'warm-up' pants for my 6 year old.

• Pajama bottom

• How to Train Your Dragon Pajamas

• 3 Costumes (2 Spider man, & The Wolverine)

What did I pay for the whole bundle?  $5!!!!!  For All that stuff!!!  That equals out to $.50 a piece!  I can hardly believe it myself.  But I'm telling you, you can get deals like this all the time.  You just need to be patient and "will" it to happen.  Positive thinking...it really works!  But that topic deserve a post all on it's own. :)

Thoughts in my Head

"Being frugal does not mean being cheap! It means being economical and avoiding waste." --Catherine Pulsifer

I do not consider myself a cheap person.  In fact I really do have expensive taste.  Often I find myself flipping through the Pottery Barn catalog dreaming of what I could do with all that amazing stuff.  But then my daydreams are ripped back into reality with a glimpse of the PRICE.  Ouch! Or walking through Nordstrom's and The Gap only to find myself once again shocked at the prices but longing for something amazing to wear.  I LOVE TO SHOP!  But with a dwindling paycheck, a goal to get out of debt, and a ever growing pull to stop being so wasteful, I had to change my mindset.  So I started shopping "Thrift".  I started digging through junk to find that one spectacular find; the one where I can't wait another second to call my sister for her pant size, because I just found a pair of "Big Star" jeans for $7, and they look brand new.  Or, to drive over to a friends to show them my very "loved", $3 chair that I can't wait to get a coat of paint on.  Or, the joy on my kids face when I find them a bike, or dollhouse that cost less then buying a 'Happy Meal'.  I just get excited people.  I get excited about THRIFT, about being FRUGAL, about saving that dime so I can put it towards helping others, or making memories with my family.  That is what life is all about, not who has the newest, nicest stuff; not about who spent more on their shoes or their handbag; it's about family, friends, and for me, my Savior Jesus Christ.  So that is why I LOVE THRIFTING.  It lets me spend my money on what really matters while helping keep things out of the landfills and while providing me and my home a one of a kind look.

Before and After:

My $3 chair from a thrift shop. Worth every penny don't you think?

I think this little girl has some of her Momma in her. She spotted this little goodie from a mile away. It was all folded up in it's cute little carrying case, and she still saw its potential. Or maybe she was just sucked in by all that PINK.  She's truly a girlie girl.  We paid a whopping $3 for it.  JACK POT!

Motivation Station

Since I still have 25 days until my "Year of Thrift" starts (I need to ease into this),  I thought I would keep myself motivated by looking back at past projects.  Lets take a little look-see.


Our very first refinish, a rocking chair found at a yard sale. I don't remember how much we paid, pretty sure it was under $20. But, I do remember how ecstatic I was.   I'd been looking at a rocking chair at '4-chairs' (great store!).  But they were way out of our price range.  So when The Handsome Husband came home with this little beauty I'm pretty sure I cried.  It was almost identical to the one at the store.  Except for one little thing...the ugly, orange finish. But look what a little elbow grease and some paint can do.  I wish I had a before picture. Try and imagine. :)

He surprised me by refinishing it when I was on a weekend trip with the Ladies.  He even added a special little touch.  A personalized plaque.  How cute is he!

This next one is one of my absolute favorites!  It cost less then $5 and I didn't have to change a thing on it.  A vintage card table found at a local thrift store.  I knew a lot of things when I saw this table. Like how incredible it was.  But one thing I didn't know...what to use it for.  It has so much character!  I love it! 

Turned it into a one-of-a-kind headboard for my son.  Just folded up the legs and hung it up on the wall.  How easy was that?  It looks great, right?  

My son was more then thrilled to have a table for his headboard. Quote: "If I get hungry in the night I can just take it down and eat off it." He is such a little smarty. Who knew this old table could be so versatile?

To Follow a Dream...

Hello my friends in Blog land.  How nice of you to stop by.  Hang up your coat, pull up a chair, and stay awhile...at least until the kids start screaming, and you can no longer tune them out. ;)


The start of something...AWE-SOME!

Project: Starting May 1st 2011 for one year, I will only be buying second-hand items, with a few exceptions, like: food, underclothing (because that's just nasty people), personal care items, and cleaning items. But, I want to buy those items as local and thrifty as I can.  You get the idea, all house ware items, clothing, toys, books, movies, etc. will all be second-hand.

Why:  For so many reasons, including (but not limited too):

I love a good challenge.
I love re-purposing things.
I love saving the world (modern day superhero).
I love saving moo-la.
I love finding something spectacular in unusual places.

I am pretty pumped about starting and although I know I might regret it at times, I know I can do it.  For one, I probably buy at least 60% of my stuff second-hand already.  Two, it's a good accuse to live at yard sales ALL summer and there are few things I love to do more...is that weird?  Maybe I shouldn't have admitted that.  But it's true.  You should have seen the treasures I picked up this weekend.  Wait for it and you will.  I'll be posting all the fun little finds I get and tips on how to thrift and what to look for.  I am a Thrifter at heart, and it may sounds crazy, but this has kind of been a little dream of mine.  No, not to deprive myself of "new" things, but to go out and find "trash" (if you will) and turn them into something beautiful, usable, and unique.  My husband tells me that he was my first "project".  He thinks he is SO funny.  Actually he is pretty funny, that is one of the many reasons I love him...he makes me laugh.     

So that's it folks, that's what my little project will be for the next 365 days.  I hope you'll stop by and see how I'm doing, check out my sweet finds, and DIY projects, including lots of re-purposing.  And perhaps you'll find yourself  motivated to be a little more THRIFTY yourself.   "Waste not, Want not." :)